Use an air leak detector If you're serious about finding the leaks in your home, using an air leak detector is one of the most accurate at-home tests. There are two main types: thermal leak detectors and ultrasonic leak detectors.
You can use a testing device or hire an indoor air quality specialist. Either option is good. Radon and mold tests are usually recommended to test home air quality and other home tests when buying a new home. If you want an accurate way to test the air quality in your home, you may consider hiring a specialist.
Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea. Because many illnesses can cause these symptoms, diagnosing sick building syndrome is difficult.
While current smartphones do show air quality levels, the data is pulled from nearby weather stations rather than a user's exact location. This means our phones can't warn us of hazards in the most important place — our homes — where simple tasks like vacuuming and cooking can lead to unhealthy air quality.
Install an Indoor Air Monitor
Choose a smart air monitor based on your specific needs, such as detecting particulate matter in polluted areas or identifying carbon monoxide and radon in older homes. Advanced monitors can detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs), temperature, and humidity changes.
If you want to monitor your indoor air quality proactively, you can invest in an air quality monitor. This will help you test if your house is making you sick. These devices constantly check the indoor air quality and provide feedback about the levels of different pollutants.
Change your furnace filter regularly. Avoid burning in your home, including fireplaces, wood stoves, gas appliances, and candles. Avoid chemicals such as air fresheners, sprays and cleaning products or use a healthier option. Vacuum your rugs and carpets regularly.
AirNow Mobile App. EPA's AirNow mobile app provides a simple interface for quickly checking current and forecast air quality information for planning daily activities and protecting your health.
Go to the Maps app on your iPhone. Zoom in on a map until the weather icon appears in the lower-right corner; the icon shows the current conditions for that area. In some regions, the air quality index (AQI) also appears in the lower-right corner. To get the hourly forecast, touch and hold the weather icon.
Most modern smartphones have built-in barometers that you can use for the same purpose. Phone manufacturers include barometers to improve GPS elevation results because they can be adversely affected by atmospheric pressure.
Allergies, Irritations, or Respiratory Problems
One of the first (and most alarming) signs that your home has poor air quality is if you or your family experience an increase in allergies, irritations, or respiratory problems. These sudden changes can be caused by a variety of air contaminants, such as: Mold spores.
Average indoor air quality testing costs around $400, but can range from $250 to $550+. Testing specific pollutants can cost you $100 to $1,000+.
In any areas of a house suspected or confirmed to have mold growth, air samples can be taken to help verify and gather more information. Moisture intrusion, water damage, musty odors, apparent mold growth, or conditions conducive to mold growth are all common reasons to gather an air sample.
The first option is to install an air quality monitor to provide continuous data on pollutants in the home, like particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and VOCs. Devices like the PurpleAir Indoor Air Quality Monitor help homeowners monitor real-time changes in air quality, making it easier to take action when necessary.
A low-cost air pollution monitor is a device that uses one or more than one sensor and other components to detect, monitor and report on specific air pollutants like particulate matter (PM) or carbon dioxide and/or environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.
Hygrometer -Check the humidity on the App Store.
Government monitoring stations are typically high-cost “reference monitors.” These are generally considered the most accurate and reliable source of measured air quality data. However, government sensors can sometimes run into problems and report inaccurate data, such as a sudden high pollution reading.
Overall, the IQAir AirVisual Pro is quite accurate when it comes to PM2. 5 and very accurate when it comes to CO2 measurements. However, if you use the AirVisual Pro indoors (where it should be used), the PM2. 5 accuracy should be very good.
Simple things you can do to improve your indoor air quality include: Reduce dust by vacuuming regularly and using a microfiber or damp cloth for dusting. Reduce humidity to avoid mold and mildew buildup and change appliance filters regularly. And make sure to test your home for dangerous gases like radon.
The most common cause of poor indoor air quality, especially in older buildings, is asbestos. The material is often found in paint, construction material, ceiling and floor tiles, etcetera.
In summary, while air purifiers can be effective in improving indoor air quality, their true effectiveness can be difficult to assess without proper monitoring tools. The integration of sensors to monitor indoor air quality is essential to ensure that the air purifier is operating effectively and energy efficiently.